Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Minnesota and the Midwest caused great loss to commercial poultry farms in 2015 and 2016. HPAI represents a change in what avian producers had come to expect, given spring introductions of avian influenza are usually rare. Biosecurity is key to preventing or reducing the extent of possible virus introduction.

Biosecurity basics

Isolation

Flow control

Sanitation

Cleaning and disinfection

HPAI risk usually occur from indirect or direct contact with virus contaminated

People

Equipment

Wild birds

Line of separation

With introductions into single barns on multi-barn sites, barn biosecurity is key. You need a line of separation around each barn in addition to the separation area for the farm unit. Lines of separation define clean areas from dirty areas.

Always assume the area around the barn is contaminated.

Avoid bringing outside contamination inside the barn.

Have a secure entry of people and equipment to the barn.

Did you know?

Poultry farm survey

A survey of poultry farms by Racicot and coworkers, 2011, 2012 using video and audits to track compliance revealed: